West MultiCare Pediatric Care for Colds vs. Flu

Distinguishing Colds vs. Flu in Kids at West MultiCare

As winter rages on, chances for kids catching colds and the flu spike significantly. However, as parents observe stuffy noses or upset stomachs, knowing whether you're facing a cold or flu helps guide next steps.

Understanding how symptoms, severity, and treatment differ for these common illnesses assists families in providing appropriate care. West MultiCare's team of compassionate pediatric specialists equip Inland Northwest communities to confront coughs, fever and fatigue.

West MultiCare's Pediatric Cold & Flu Care

Across West MultiCare's network of family medicine and urgent care clinics throughout eastern Washington, expert pediatricians, nurses and assistants offer prompt outpatient attention for childhood coughs and sniffles.

Friendly pediatric-focused staff utilize precautions limiting viral exposure in child-oriented facilities conveniently located in towns like Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d'Alene and more. On-site labs, imaging and specialists facilitate rapid cold and flu assessment when needed.

Identifying a Cold vs. the Flu

Although both spread easily via coughing or sneezing, important distinctions help differentiate colds from the flu. Typical symptoms caused by hundreds of cold viruses tend to appear gradually, while influenza's sudden severe manifestations signal its dangerous nature arising from only a few virus strains.

Comparing Cold and Flu Symptoms

Learning to spot symptom variations aids speedy, effective pediatric care when illness strikes. While neither shortage of congestion, aches or fatigue, understanding your child’s experience makes a difference.

Common Cold Symptoms

Cold signs arising 2-3 days after exposure usually include:

• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion/runny nose
• Sneezing
• Mild cough
• Watery eyes
• Headache
• Mild fatigue/malaise

Cold viruses directly infect the nose and throat before spreading. Thus upper respiratory complaints dominate without generating systemic impacts.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza outbreaks prompt abrupt arrival within 1-4 days after exposure of more extreme symptoms like:

• High fever/chills/sweats
• Severe muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Profound exhaustion

Because influenza viruses invade beyond upper airways, they disrupt digestion, provoke systemic inflammation causing aches, chills and weakness while attacking lung tissues to prompt pneumonia.

Pediatric Variations

Babies and younger children endure more gastrointestinal effects like vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite from influenza. Distressing fevers also pose risks of febrile seizures in small bodies.

What Makes Colds and Flu Different?

Root causes, severity and risks reveal what sets common colds apart from more dangerous flu infecting kids.

Viruses Causing Infection

Hundreds of cold virus strains trigger runny noses annually. But only influenza types A and B account for seasonal flu outbreaks based on viral coat proteins.

Viral Contagious Period

Kids shed cold viruses for longer, spreading runny nose misery via coughs and sneezes for over 2 weeks. Flu only remains contagious for about one week after symptoms emerge.

Risk for Complications

Colds rarely cause major issues treated properly. But flu-associated pneumonia, brain inflammation, hospitalization for kids under 5 years old and exacerbation of chronic conditions make influenza potentially very serious.

Effectiveness of Antiviral Medications

No cure exists for the common cold, with symptom relief the only option. But early antiviral administration during flu often minimizes severity and duration when prescribed by pediatric experts.

How Doctors Diagnose Colds vs. Flu

West MultiCare clinicians utilize methods including medical history reviews, physical exams, rapid testing and imaging to differentiate colds from flu influencing kids.

Medical Interviews

Asking about your child’s recent exposures, symptoms, household health status and vaccine history provides context to guide assessments.

Physical Exams

Pediatric evaluation of fever severity, throat/ear irritation, breathing rate/quality and abdominal tenderness helps distinguish illnesses.

Rapid Diagnostic Testing

Quick in-office swabs detecting influenza genetic material confirm type A or B infections within 15 minutes at West MultiCare sites when needed.

Chest X-rays

Images showing influenza-associated pneumonia or bronchitis in lungs aid appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Treating Kids' Colds vs. Flu

West MultiCare clinicians tailor pediatric care plans to nuances of coughs and congestion kids endure.

Common Cold Therapy

Supportive relief from irritating cold symptoms remains the only current option with plenty of fluids, over-the-counter meds for pain and fever, humidifiers, and rest.

Influenza Treatment

Antiviral medication in the first 48 hours often reduces severity and duration of the flu. Monitoring for dehydration or secondary bacterial spread prevents life-threatening complications.

Preventing Household Spread

Vigilant hand hygiene, sanitizing high-touch surfaces, masking flu patients, isolating sick kids from elderly family and avoiding public spaces while contagious prevents cold and flu transmission.

Consult West MultiCare’s compassionate, conveniently located pediatricians and urgent care centers when winter viruses strike Inland Northwest families. Their expertise guides appropriate symptom relief and healthy outcomes all season long.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.